•RITU SARIN: You took over as Home Minister immediately after the 26/11 attack. How comfortable are you in the job now?

The Home Ministry is a very large ministry. It has its fingers in many, many pies. Shortly after the Mumbai attacks, I found that the ministry was not pulling together. What we did was to tell them that the important thing is goal-setting, laying down timelines, working towards achieving those goals. I think we are pulling together now with a greater sense of purpose.

•RITU SARIN: After 26/11, you introduced the 12 o’clock meeting with the IB chief, RAW chief and NSA. Is that a permanent feature?

For the time being, the meeting is a regular feature. I take the meeting every day when I am in Delhi. In my absence, the NSA takes the meeting. This has virtually put an end to finger pointing. Nobody can now say they did not know of something. The question is, how long will the minister continue to take the meeting? At least another year or so till being part of the team percolates down to every organisation. I will be very happy if one of the Ministers of State is designated to chair this meeting.

•RITU SARIN: Is there greater percolation of intelligence now?

At this level, we are ensuring that everything is shared. Nobody is kept out of the loop and nobody can remain out of the loop. I can ask anybody at the meeting why something happened. Secondly, it is real time intelligence sharing. Thirdly, it helps in taking quick decisions.

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